Asphalt curb building machine



June 7, 1966 L. E. BEssr-:TTE 3,254,578

ASPHALT vCURB BUILDING MACHINE l mum BY June 7, 1966 l.. E. BEssE'r-rE ASPHALT CURB BUILDING MACHINE `4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1962 @Q @#8, w, lm A. v ..1 M mmv l, w mw w Nv W M \s\ ma m .WNIH @o Ma M l lo. w swam@ N l1 &5 y W @N www NS www n June 7, 1966 E. BEssr-:TTE 3,254,573

. ASPHALT CURB BUILDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1962 4 Sheets-Shee June 7, 1966 E. BEssETTE 3,254,578

ASPHALT CURB BUILDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. ou/'s Edward essee ,QTTOR United States Patent O 3,254,578 ASPHALT CURB BUILDING MACHINE Louis Edward Bessette, 1113 Washington St., Great Bend, Kans. Filed Aug. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 215,568 3 Claims. (Cl. 94-46) This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 765,648, led October 6, 1958, entitled Asphalt Curb Building Machine.

This inevntion relates to curb construction equipment and more particularly, to a curb building machine having as its primary object to provide apparatus for either repairing broken and irregularly surfaced cubing or, if desired, to form entirely new curbs along a preselected line between the street and the sidewalk or park area.

An especially important object of the invention is to provide novel curb laying apparatus which is adapted to handle asphaltic as well as cementitious material to lay a curb along the margin of a street without utilization of forms or similar devices that outline the normal configuration of the curb.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a curb building machine especially adapted for forming an asphaltic cap of proper configuration over a broken, irregularly configured curb during continuous forward motion of the machine.

Also an important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned character wherein the cap produced by the machine in overlying relationship to the old curb is firmly connected to the old cement or asphalt and presents a relatively hard, wear resistant surface by virtue of material compacting and ironing components mounted on .the machine in predetermined relationship.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a curb building machine constructed in a novel manner to form a new curb or a cap over an old, broken curb, having a level, substantially rectilinear upper surface irrespective of slight irregularities encountered in the roadbed over which the machine is driven during construction of the new curb or curb cap.

An equally important object is to provide a curb building machine having a novel screed thereon provided with a lower, irregularly curved surface conforming to the Y affecting the positionof the screed relative to the curb being formed and thereby providing automatic compensation for terrain irregularities encountered during operation of the equipment.

Also an important object is to provide a machine having a screed as deiined above wherein the lower, irregularly curved, curb forming surface of the screed produces a curb having a lower radius at the street level to permit subsequent rolling of the bottom portion of the newly formed curb into smoothly merging relationship with the street surface without in any manner eiecting damage to the vertical, external face of the gutter presented by the new curb.

Other important objects of the invention relate to the provision of a curb forming machine wherein various asphalt mixes as well as certain types of concrete or equivalent material may be readily introduced into the machine for construction of the required curb as the machine advances, and without modification of the equipment being iceA required regardless of the type of material employed in 'constructing the curb; to a machine 4as described having adjustable means thereon permitting compensation for variations in the height of the curb to be formed; to a machine wherein new curbs or relatively thick curb caps may be produced by the simple expedient of introducing suiicient material into the hopper of the machine and slowing down the forward rate of movement of the curb building machine so that the amount of material directed beneath the screed may be varied as requiredfor the particular job on whichthe machine is employed; to a machine wherein curbs of different external configuration may be constructed by merely changing the ironing screed mounted on the machine and having a lower surface conforming to the desired curb configuration; to a curb building machine adapted to have a propulsion unit mounted on'the same whereby curbs of substantially truer alignment may be constructed by virtue of the more accurate control inherent in a self-propelled machine; to a curb building machine having adjustable components thereon permitting rapid, relatively easy change of the compaction and ironing structure of the equipment by a single operator controlling forward movement of the machine; to the provision of a rugged, continuously operable machine made up of components resistant to frequent breakdown;

and to other objects and important details of the instant equipment which will become obvious or be explained in greater detail as the following specification progresses.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the curb building machine and illustarting the manner in which the same is employed to place a curb cap over an old, broken, ir. regularly configured curb;

FIG. 2 is a plan View of the curb building machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the opposite side of` the machine from that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the instant curb building machine;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of that side of the machine shown in FIG. 3, with certain parts being removed to show the components therebehind;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, cross-sectional view taken "substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal, crosssectional View taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 and looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the machine.

A curb building machine illustrated in its preferred form in the drawings and indicated broadly by the numeral 10 includes as basic components, an undercarriage or frame unit 12, curb constructing structure 14 carried by frame unit 12 -to one side thereof, material receiving hopper means 16 secured to and in part carried by frame unit 12 and :adapted to deliver material to structure 14, a pair of rear wheel assemblies 18 and 20 as well as a 'pair of front wheels and axle assemblies 22 and 24 mounted on undercarriage 12, a propulsion unit 26 mounted on the rear section of undercarriage 12 for driving the rear wheel assemblies 18 and 20, and steering mechanism broadly designated 28 operably coupled to the forward wheel and axle assemblies 22 and 24 in a manner -to be more clearly defined hereinafter.

The undercarriage 12 of machine 10 includes an elongated, generally horizontal, t-ransversely U-shaped, opentop trough 30 positioned below hopper 16 and supported by a number of generally horizontal crosspieces extending not only transversely of machine 10 but also forward and aft from trough 30. *The axle and differential housing 32 extending between assemblies 18 and 20 provides i Patented June 7, 196,6`

for an operable connection of the gears within the differ-Y ential to both of the wheels 18 and 20, with the differential in turn being connected to a three-speed plus reverse transmission 34 located forwardly of housing 32. A pair of generally horizontal, parallel channels 36 and 38 are carried by axle housing 32 adjacent respective wheel assemblies 18 and 20 and extend forwardly therefrom for support on the rear, generally horizontal margin 40 of trough 30. A rear cross member 42 interconnects the rearmost extremities of channels 36 and 38 while an intermediate cross member 44 (FIG. 2) joins channels 36 and 38 forwardly of wheel assemblies 18 and 20. A final reinforcing cross member 46 joins cross member 44 between channels 36 and 38.

The main support for hopper 16 is provided by a box frame including front and rear channels 48 and 50 interconnected by side channels 52 and 54 positioned above trough 30 as is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 3. An inclined channel 56 (FIG. l) welded to the rear extremity of channel 54 extends downwardly therefrom and is connected to a horizontal channel 58 that is connected to the outer face of channel 38, and serves as a support for a portion of the propulsion unit 26 of machine 10.

The remaining portion of the undercarriage 12 'primarily includes a channel 60 interconnecting channel 36 and channel 52 adjacent cross channel 50, and serving to in part support upright angles 62 and 64 which are connected to a pair of horizontal, rearwardly extending angles 66 and 68 Alocated outboard of wheel assembly 18 to receive a horizontal, generally rectangular plate 70 on which the operator of machine may stand or sit during operation of the apparatus. An upright -post 72 carried by plate 70 mounts an operator seat 74 so that machine 10 may be controlled from a seated position.

The front wheel and axle assembles 22 and 24 each include a fork 76 rotatable about respective, parallel, vertical axes with the shafts 78 of each fork 76 being lrotatably received by corresponding bearing elements 80 mounted on opposed extremities -of front axle bar 81 pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on channel 48 by pivot structure y83. Rearwardly extending crank arms 82 connected to the shafts 78 are joined by an elongated tie rod 84 to permit steering of machine 10 from the operators seat 74. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a steering shaft sleeve 86 carried by hopper 16 extends forwardly from the operators seat 74 in overlying relationship to the channel 52 and rotatably carries a steering Wheel shaft that is operably connected to the crank arm 88 of the shaft 78 of wheel and axle assembly 22 by the linkage 90. Thus, upon rotation of the steering wheel 92 of steering mechanism 28, the wheels of assemblies 22 and 24 are rotated in tandem.

The hopper 16 is formed of a pair of elongated, transversely curved front and rear walls 94 and 96 supported by cross channels 48 and 50, and interconnected by generally trapezoidal end walls 98 and 100 welded to the inside margins of channels 52 and 54. The lower extremities of end walls 98 and 100 terminate immediately above the open top of trough 30. The front and rear walls 94 and 96 are suitable connected to the upper opposed margins of trough 30 so that material deposited in hopper 16 is caused to gravitate directly into the open upper end of the trough. An elongated, helix type augur 102 is carried within trough 30 and includes a generally horizontal shaft 104 rotatably received by bearings located at opposed ends of shaft 104. The end plate 106 secured to the extremity of trough 30 underlying channel 54, rotatably clears shaft 104 and carries the bearing for the proximal extremity of the auger shaft. T-shaped bracket means 108 located at the end of trough 30 opposite plate 106, carries a bearing 110 serving to rotatably receive the respective extremity of shaft 104. The details of the structure for driving the auger 102 will be explained hereinafter.

The components for pivotally mounting structure 14 on undercarriage 12 includes a pair of generally horizontal, parallel, spaced angles 112 and 114 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 8) welded to and projecting outwardly from undercarriage channel 52 adjacent the front wheel and axle assembly 22. A tubular member 116 is pivotally carried :by the angles 112 and 114 by an upright plate element 118 received between the upright portions of angles 112 and 114 and pivotally connected thereto by pivot pin 120.

The main supporting member of structure 14 takes the form of an elongated, transversely box-shaped arm 122 having a pair of parallel, normally horizontally disposed, upper and lower extension plates 124 and 126 on the forwardmost extremity thereof, which are swingably connected to the tubular member 116 through the medium of a sleeve element 128 telescoped over tubular member 116, and provided with a pair of projections 130 and 132, and which are pinned to the extension plates 124 and 126 by a relatively large, vertically disposed pin 134. An enlarged circular segment 136 on the outer end of tubular member 116 serves to retain the sleeve element 128 thereon.

Box arm 122 extends rearwardly of machine 10 substantially the full fore and aft dimension thereof, and is restricted to a substantially vertical path of travel by an upright rectangular guide frame 138 carried by a horizontal support tube 140 welded to and projecting outwardly from channel 52 adjacent cross channel 50.

A generally trapezoidal shaped, upright plate 142 (FIG. 5) is connected to the extremity of ltrough 30 in underlying relationship to arm 122 and serves as one side of a generally rectangular area into which asphalt or cementitious material from hopper 16 is ejected from trough 30 by auger 102. A rectangular rubber sheet 144 is secured to the lower margin of plate 142 and is adapted to engage the ground to compensate for irregularities in the surfaceL over which machine 10 is driven.

The opposite side of the area into which the curb building material is delivered, is defined by a relatively long, rectangular plate 146 mounted for free oating movement relative to arm 122 and limited in downward movement by a pair of chain hangers 148 and 150 coupled to the upper margin of plate 146 and removably joined to corresponding bracket members 152 and 154 welded to the upper surface of arm 122 and projecting outwardly therefrom away from plate 144. As is best shown in FIG. 2, each of the bracket members 152 and 154 has an elongated notch 156 in the outer extremity thereof for receiving one of the links of the chain hangers 148 and 150. Although the plate 146 is adapted to ride on the ground or pavement during yoperation of machine 10 and is thereby free oatng with respect to arm 122, it can be perceived that by altering the particular links of chain hangers 148 and 150 received in the notches 156 in bracket members 152 and 154, the extent to which plate 146 may move downwardly relative to arm 122 may be varied as required for the particular conditions of operation of machine 10, and also to permit maintenance -of the plate 146 out of engagement with the ground during over-the-road travel of machine 10 as may be desirable. It is also to be pointed out that the effective lengths .of bracket members 152 and 154 projecting outwardly from arm 122 are different to cause plate 146 to be located in greater spaced relationship from plate 142 at the forward extremities of plates 142 and 146, than at the rearmost end -of arm 122. Means for restricting horizontal movement of plate 146 and limiting the latter to vertical reciprocation will be hereinafter described.

An elongated, vertically curved baille member 158 is suspended from sleeve element 128 between plates 142 and 146 forwardly of trough 30 for preventing material deposited in the area between plates 142 and 146 from moving forwardly therefrom during loperation of machine 10.

Screed and tamping means is niounted on arm 122 for forming the material deposited in the area between plates 142 and 146, into curb. configuration and capable of ironing such material into smooth compacted form.

The screed is broadly designated 160 in the drawings and includes an elongated, transversely irregular screed member 162 provided with a downwardly facing, transversely curved, irregularly configured lower surface 162g generally conforming to the shape of the final curb desired as is clearly apparent from FIG. 6. Screed member 162 has a relatively fiat side face 164 generally aligned and lying in a plane substantially common with a plane through member 142, as well as an elongated, opposed face 166 which is at a slight angle with respect to face 164 and generally coplanar with plate. 146. Structure for pivotally mounting screed member 162 on arm 122 includes a pair of parallel, upstanding supports 168 and 170 welded to the upper face 172 of screed member 162 and located adjacent the forward extremity thereof. A generally U-shaped bracket 174 having opposed, downwardly extending legs 176 located inboard of and in proximal relationship :to respective supports 168 and 170, serve as means for carrying pivot pins 178 to provide for swingable mounting of screed member 162 on the rearmost end of-box arm 122.

Means 4for adjusting the angualrity of screed member 162 with respect to the longitudinal axis of arm 122, comprises a block 180 welded to the rear extremity of face 172 `and provided with a hemispherical shaped chamber 182 therein which communicates with the upper face 172 of screed member 162 through the medium of an aperture 184, for 4receiving the ball section 186 of an elongated adjustment member 188 rotatably carried by the rear end of arm 122. A pair of spaced, parallel, horizontally opposed, upright extensions 190 and 192 on the rear end of arm 122, rotatably carry an internally threaded component 194 located between extensions 190 and 192.v The upper end of member 188 is externally threaded and complementally received in component 194 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. A generally U-shaped operating handle 196 secured to the upper end of member 188 facilitates rotation `of the latter to adjust the disposition of screed member 162 with respect to arm 122.

In order to provide effective reinforcing structure for screed member 162, the latter isprovided with a series of parallel, horizontally spaced, substantially identical, transversely extending reinforcing ribs 198 integral with the inner face of the lower wall 162a thereof, and thereby preventing warping of the lower surface of the screed 168 and 170 respectively.

`of front face 206.V` A pair of brackets 214 secured to the normally forwardmost face of tamper blade 204 adjacent Ithe upper margin thereof, and located in horizontally spaced relationship, receive a connector element 216 therebetween which is pivotally coupled to tamper blade 204 through the .pivot pin 218 extending through brackets 214 as well as connector element 216. The upper tubular section 220 of connector element 216 is positioned over an eccentric (not shown) carried by -a rotatable drive shaft 222 supported by a pair of opposed, aligned bearings 224 mounted on brackets 226 secured to supports During rotation of the pulley 228 on the inner end of shaft 222, the latter is rotated to effect vertical reciprocation of tamper blade 204 as the eccentric on shaft 222 moves in tubular section 220 of connector element 216. The drive train for tam-per blade 204 will -be set forth hereinafter.

Although plate 146is mounted for free floating movement in a vertical plane, such plate is restricted vagainst member 162 notwithstanding the high temperatures and pressures lto which the unit is subjected. It is also contemplated that the rear wall 200 of screed member 162 be provided with a number of apertures 202 therein permitting a gas ame to be directed into the interior of screed member 162 to suitably heat the lower surface 162a thereof for more effectively ironing the curb into proper configuration when asphaltic .material is used in machine 10.

The mechanismfor tamping the cementitious or asphaltic material into desired shape prior to passage of the ironing screed member 162 over the material, takes the form of a tamper blade 204 located -against the front face 206 of screed member 162 and generally conforming to the transverse configuration thereof as indicated in 'FIG. 6. Thus, the tamper blade 204 has a lower edge 208 of configuration substantially conforming to the shape side motion by guide units which include a generally L- shaped restricter plate 230 secured to an angle iron 232 projecting outwardly from plate 142 adjacent the forward extremity of arm 122, as well as by -a generally L-shaped plate 234 welded to the rear end of screed member- 162 adjacent the face 166 thereof. The outer, oppositely extending legs 230a and 234a of restricter plates 230 and 234, are located to prevent movement of plate 146 away from the surface 166 of screed member 162 as well as the outer upright margin of baie member 158. Another free floating plate designated 238 and cooperable with plate 146 to maintain the asphaltic or cementitious material beneath lthe screed 160, is located in abutting relationship tothe face 164 of screed 160 and is limited against downward movement past a predetermined level by chain hange-rs 242 and 244. The extremity of 'bracket member 154 overlying face 1.64 of screed member 162, cooperates with a bracket 236 carried by and extending inwardly from box arm 122 in proximal relationship to support 170, for removably receiving the upper extremities of chain |hangers 242 and 244 with the latter being connected to the upper margin of plate 238 in spaced relationship along the longitudinal length thereof. The inner extremities of bracket members 154 and 236, have inwardly directed notches 240 therein for receiving the links of chain hangers 242 and 244 that operate to restrict downward movement of plate 238 relative to arm 122. An angle 246 connected to the rear wall 200 of screed member 162 adjacent the face 164 thereof, -cooperates with an upright, rearwardly extending plate member 248 on the rear upright margin of plate 142, for restricting plate 234 to vertical movement only.

Additional batlies provided on structure 14 for assuring delivery of the material to the proper area between plates 142 and 146, include a pair of horizontally spaced, upright, vertically arcuate baffles 250 secured to the channel member 52, and an arcuate baffle 252 located immediof surface 206 of screed member 162. The front face 206 of screed member 162 has a pair of opposed, integral, -tr-ansversely L-shaped guide sections 210 and 212 (FIGS. 6 and 7) for maintaining the blade 204 in engagement 'with face 206. The outer, inwardly directed segments 210a and 212a are spaced from plate 206 a distance approximately equal to the thickness of plate 204, thereby maintaining tamper vblade 204 flatly against the surface is mounted on the block of engine 256. The output pinately in front of tamper blade -204 to cause the material to flow directly thereunder. The brackets 226 secured -to supports 168 and 170 serve as means for mounting the baie 252 in proper disposition in overlying relationship to tamper blade 204.

It is to be recognized that the actual drive mechanism for the various movable components of machine 10 may be varied -wi-thout departing from the principles of the present invention, but one embodiment of such drive apparatus is illustrated in the drawings. An internal combustion engine 256 of conventional design and having a horizontal drive shaft extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof, is mounted on the box frame defined by channels 36 and 38 and cross members 42 and 44 adjacent the wheel assembly 20. A clutch unit 257 is coupled directly to one end of the output shaft of engine 256 and ion 258 of clutch unit 257 is in operable meshing relationship with a pinion 260 on shaft 262 carried horizontally by a bracket unit 264 secured to channel 58 and cross channel 50. A sprocket 266 on the outer end of shaft 262 is operably coupled to a relatively large sprocket 268 on the proximal end of shaft 104 by endless chain 270. lMeans for engaging and disengaging clutch unit 257 for controlling operation of auger 102 comprises an actuating arm 272 on clutch unit 257 which is controlled by a foot pedal 274 pivotally mounted on the platform 70 of the operators station. Foot pedal 274 is carried by an angle 276 pivotal about suitable pin means on a bracket depending from the rear extremity of channel 52, with angle 276 being operably joined to a crank lever 27 8 on the upper end of upright standard 64, by a link 282. The connector link 284 operably joins crank lever 278 to the actuating arm 272 of clutch unit 257.

The wheels of assemblies 18 Iand 20 are driven from 4the opposite extremity of the output shaft of engine 256 ythrough a gear train and hydraulic actuated mechanism as follows. The inner pulley 286 (FIG. 2) on engine shaft 288 is coupled to a pulley 290 of hydraulic pump 292 by a belt 294. The pump 292 is located beneath and carried by cross member 46, and it is to be understood that the pump is in Huid communication with the hydraulic fluid reservoir 296 through conventional flexible hoses (not shown). The pump 292 is also coupled by exible hoses to a con-trol valve unit 298 mounted on a bracket 300 carried by platform 302 located adjacent the operators station and positioned above and supported by channel member 36 through the medium of supports 304. The valve unit 298 controls flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor 306 on platform 302, and in order to permit the operator of machine 10 to vary the speed of motor 306 through-the medium of valve 298, an operating handle 308 is pivotally secured to platform 302 and is joined to the piston 310 of valve 298 for selective control of ilow of tluid to motor 306. The output shaft 312 of motor 306 has a sprocket 314 thereon which is operably coupled to the sprocket 316 on the input shaft 318 of transmission unit 320 by an endless chain 322. Transmission unit 320 is controlled -by a hand operated lever 324 within the reach of an operator on seat 74 and permitting shifting of the gears into any one of three forward speeds as well as a reverse gear arrangement. The output sprocket 326 of transmission unit 320 is connected to a lower -drive sprocket 328 on drive shaft 330 by endless chain 331. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the shaft 330 extends forwardly of the machine adjacent channel 36 and is -supported -by suitable brackets not illustrated in detail, mounted on the box frame defined .by channels 36 and 38 and cross members 42 and 44. A sprocket 332 lon the forwardmost extremity of sh-aft 330 is connected to a sprocket 334 on the front end of transmission input shaft 336 by an endless chain 338, it being noted that the input shaft 336 is in parallelism with shaft 330 and projects directly out of the three forward speed and one reverse speed transmission unit 34. The hand operated shift lever 340 of transmission 34 permits an operator to re-adily change the gear positions within the transmission. The output shaft 342 of -transmission 34 is coupled directly to a conventional differential 344 operably connected to the drive axles within housing 32 and which drive the wheels 346 and 348 of assemblies 18 and 20.

Another pulley 350 on engine shaft 288 is connected to a pulley 356 on'the inner end of an elongated, horizontal shaft 352 extending below the rear Wall 96 of hopper 16, by an endless belt 354 to effect driving of shaft 352 during rotation of shaft 288. A pulley 358 on the opposite end of shaft 352 and aligned with pulley 228 on shaft 222 is coupled to the latter by endless belt 362. A swingable lever 364 pivotally mounted on the outer leg 176 of bracket 174, carries an idler pulley 366 aligned with pulleys 358 and 228. Operating arm 368 secured to another bracket 370 on bracket structure 174, is operably joined to lever 364 by connector link 372.

The brakes of machine 10 are operated by a hand A tion if desired.

To assist the driver of machine 10 during laying of a curb, an elongated guide rod 382 secured to channel 50 and the angles 112 and 114, extends forwardly therefrom at an angle with respect to the normal forward path of travel of the machine, and is provided with an adjustable, vertical guide 384 thereon which may be positioned adjacent a marker string so that the machine may be driven along a rectilinear path.

The arm 122 of structure 14 is also provided with a J -shaped component 386 thereon provided with a downwardly facing pad 388 in direct overlying relationship to a similar pad 390 on the upper face of box guide frame 138. By positioning a suitable hydraulic jack between the pads 388 and 390, the arm 122 may be pivoted suiciently about the axis of tubular member 116 to shift screed out of engagement wit-h the ground during over-the-road travel of m-achine 10.

OPERATION In describing the operation of machine 10, it is initially assumed that a cap 396 is to be placed over a broken curb 394 and therefore, in this instance, it is to be preferred that an asphaltic composition be used because of the more desirable bonding of the asphalt t-o the curb than would be obtained by the utilization of cementitious material. F or the most part, it is preferred that concrete 'be used to form an entire curb rather than capping of broken curbs. However, as initially pointed out, it is to be recognized that complete asphalt curbs may be produced by the instant machine with equally good results.

A dump truck backs up to the forward margin of machine 10 and preferably in the cutaway area 398 of front wall 94 and dumps the hot asphalt composition directly into hopper 16. It should `be noted that the construction of hopper 16 facilitates quick loading of the latter directly from a dump truck as described and without additional labor for transfer of the building material into machine 10 for the curb building operation.

The asphaltic composition gravitates toward the lower end of hopper 16 and the machine 10 is now in condition for capping of the broken curb 394. The operator starts engine 256 by placing a starter pull rope around the pulley 392 to rotate the drive shaft 288. Upon commencement of operation of engine 256, the gear shift lever 340 is moved to a desired position to effect forward motion of machine 10, and the lever 324 is also placed in proper disposition to cause the machine to move forward at a proper speed. However, it is to be appreciated that machine 10 -will not commence forward movement until after the operator shifts handle 308 in a direction to permit hydraulic uid from pump 292 to be directed into the uid motor 306. Prior to commencement of forward motion of the machine, the operator will maintain the clutch pedal 274 depressed to prevent rotation of auger 102 by engine 256, and the brake handle 374 will also be pushed forward to prevent any backward or forward motion of the machine if the same is situated on an incline. As soon as the operator is satisfied that the machine is ready for forward movement, the clutch pedal 274 is let out to shift the arm 272 and cause the drive pinion 258 to be rotated in a direction to rotate auger 1.02 through the gea-r train of pinion 260, sprocket 266, endless chain 270 and sprocket 268 on shaft 104. As the auger 102 rotates, material from hopper 16 is forced outwardly through the open end of trough 30 communicating with the area between plates 142 and 146, whereby the asphaltic material is permitted to gravitate onto `the ground directly in front of the screed 160.

Forward motion is imparted to machine 10 from engine 256 through the gear and hydraulic fluid train extending from drive shaft 288 to the hydraulic pump 292 whereby the uid therefrom then passes to the hydraulic motor 306 via control valve 298 and effecting driving of the transmission unit 320 through sprockets 314 and 3 16 interconnected by endless chain 322. The output shaft of transmission 320 is driven at a required speed to rotate sprocket 328 by endless chain 331. Motion is transmitted from the shaft 330 on sprocket 328 to the transmission 34 through the sprockets 332 and 334 joined by endless chain 338. Power is then applied to the differential 344 to drive the rear wheels 346 and 348 in a forward direction.

It is also to be pointed out that the lever arm 368 is located in disposition as shown in FIG. 5 causing the idler pulley 366 to be in engagement with belt 362 and maintain the latter in suficiently taut condition to effect rotation of shaft 222 by the shaft 352 driven from engine shaft 288 by belt 354 trained over pulleys 350 and 356. Rotation of shaft 222 causes the tamper blade 204 to be reciprocated at a relatively high rate of speed and thereby effecting compaction of the material deposited in the area between plates 142 and 146 as machine 10 advances. Continued forward motion of the machine causes the material, substantially conforming to the configuration of the final curb, to be ironed beneath screed 160 by the curb defining surface 162a thereof. The inclination of the screed 160 with respect to the ground, with the rearmost end thereof being in somewhat closed spaced relationship to the ground than the forward end of the same, causes the asphaltic composition to be compacted into smooth configuration and without substantial voids in the outer face thereof.l Since the side plates 146 and 238 are mounted for free vertical floating movement relative to arm 122 and ride along the surface of the ground or pavement as machine 10 is advanced, the floating plates thereby operate to maintain the material lbeneath the surface 162:1 of screed member 162 and prevent spreading of the material as the latter is ironed and compacted by the screed 160. The inclination of plate 146 relative to plate 142 and plate 238, with the distance between the opposed plates decreasing as the rearmost extremity of screed 160 is approached, is extremely important to formation of a curb of compact and void-free form, inasmuch 4as the plates operate as an extruder to compress and consolidate the material as structure 14 is advanced. Thus, not only is a downward force vector applied to the materialby the surface -162a of screed 160, but the inner surfaces of plates 146 and 238, which converge as the rearmost margins thereof are approached, apply side vector forces to the material to obtain required compaction and. compression of the material. It is also to be understood that a lgas flame may be directed into the interior of screed 160 if desired in order to maintain surface 162a thereof at a high temperature to assure proper ironing of the curb surface.

During advancement of machine 10, structure 14 pivots about the axis of tubular member 116 in a manner to compensate for any irregularities in the surface of the road and to thereby maintain the upper margin of the curb capv 396 truly parallel with the major plane of the road. Thus, if any of the wheels on undercarriage 12 dip into a depression, or pass upwardly over a raised area, the arm 122 is capable of pivoting with respect to the undercarriage 12 and thereby being independent of movement of the main frame of machine 10. The front wheels are also constructed to pivot about the horizontal axis of pivot means 83 so that the rear wheels 346 and 348 will always remain in frictional engagement with the ground regardless of the surface configuration o f the roadbed.

The operator may steer the vehicle to maintain the guide 384 against the marker string at all times and with the speed of advancement' of the machine being readily controllable from the operators seat 74 by simple adjustment of the position of handle 308 controlling flow of fluid through the hydraulic control valve unit 298.

Similarly, the speed of advancement ofmaterial out of the hopper 16 by the auger 102 may lbe controlled by engagement and disengagement of the clutch 257 which controls rotation of auger shaft 104. The tamper blade 204 may also be controlled by swinging of the lever arm 368 which causes the idler pulley 366 to be shifted toward and away from a position maintaining thebelt 362 sufficiently taut to cause the tamper blade drive shaft 222 to be rotated by the drive shaft 352.

Mounting of the eccentric driver for tamper blade 204 directly on screed is of major importance in the improved results obtained from machine 10 by virtue of the fact that such eccentric drive operates to impart sufcient vibrational -motion to screed member 162 to more effectively compact and consolidate the material beneath such screed, and also precluding adherence of particulate material to the undersurface 162a of member 162. As the tamper blade 204 is reciprocated by the shaft 222, the

leccentric mechanism driven thereby imparts considerable vinclude the transmission 320 having three forward speeds and one reverse speed, as well as by. the transmission 34 also provided with three forward gear ratios and one reverse speed. l

The three floating plates 146 and 238 are an especially important feature of structure 14 and assure that the curb building material is maintained beneath screed member 162 and is subjected to the extrusion forces previously described, regardless of irregularities in the terrain over which machine 10 is advanced. The hanger chains limit vertical movement of the plates 146 and 238 in a downward direction however and furthermore, serve to permit hanging of the plates from arm 122 in a disposition clearing the pavement surface during over-the-road movement of the machine. Other adjustments of structure 14 include the angularity of screed 160 with respect to arm 122 which can be altered by rotation of member 188 through the medium of operating handle 196. Again, it is to be appreciated that the adjustment in the position of screed 160 may be effected by the operator from his position on platform 70, and it isnot necessary to stop machine 10 to alter the ironing effect on the asphalt composition by screed surface 162a.

It normally is only necessary that the screed 160 be heated to a relatively high temperature at the commencement of the operation of machine 10, inasmuch as the asphaltic material directed into hopper 16 is in a heated -state with the inherent heat of the asphalt maintaining the temperature of screed 160 at a required level for proper smoothing and ironing of the curb.

Another feature of the instant invention is the fact that arm 122 may move a limited distance about the axis of vertical pin 134 and within the guide frame 138 which causes a generally rectilinear curb cap 396 to be formed on the curb 394, notwithstanding the fact that machine 10 is not steered along a truly rectilinear path by steering mechanism 28.

Although the description above relates specifically to construction of a curb cap 396, machine 10 may be used with equal facility to produce a new curb, it only being necessary to utilize more material and to suitably slow down the rate of forward advancement of the machine.

-This result may be easily accomplished by setting the con-A desired for a particular job, and the pivotal mounting of such screed on bracket supports 168 and 170 is of particular significance because the different screeds may be located at any angle required for best operation. Furthermore, the operator may adjust the angularity of the screed relative to arm 122 during operation of the machine and without the necessity of such operator leaving his seat.

It is to be understood that upon replacement of screed 160 with one having a lower wall 162:1 of different configuration, it is also necessary to place a different tamper blade 204 thereon having a lower edge 298 conforming to the configuration of the new screed 160. The lower arcuate configuration of wall 162:1 of screed 160 is of importance because the curb or curb cap 396 may be rolled with a machine to cause the lower part of the curb t merge smoothly with the roadbed without danger of the roller damaging the vertical face of the newly constructed curb. This is of particular advantage when the roadway is also being resurfaced with asphaltic material similar to that in building cap 396.

Machine is also adapted for construction of curbs of materials other than asphalt, the equipment being capable of forming concrete curbs if cement of relatively dry and suitable consistency is deposited within hopper 16. In this respect, the construction of the components of structure 14 facilitates utilization of either asphalt or concrete, inasmuch as the machine may be cleaned after each use thereof without considerable time and effort being expended.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for laying a curb comprising:

a mobile undercarriage;

support structure pivotally mounted on the undercarriage, located at one side thereof, adapted to be moved along the line on which the curb is to be formed as the undercarriage is advanced, swingable about a horizontal axis in generally perpendicular relationship to said line, and including members spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the final curb;

a hopperl carried by the undercarriage adapted to receive curb building material, the member in closest proximity to said hopper forming a portion of one side of the hopper and having an opening therein intercommunicating the interior of the hopper and said area between the members;

conveyor means in the lower end of the hopper and aligned with said opening for directing material from the hopper through said opening into the area between said members at a predetermined rate;

means reciprocably mounted on the structure for tamping material deposited within said area and compacting the same substantially into the form of said curb as the undercarriage is advanced; and

screed means mounted on the structure and having a transversely irregularly curved surface conforming to the configuration of the curb to be laid for ironing the compacted material into the final form of the curb during advancement of the undercarriage.

2. A curb laying machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said structure includes an elongated arm pivotal about said axis in a generally vertical plane, there being means carried by the undercarriage and engaging said arm for restricting the latter to a generally vertical path of travel.

3. A curb laying machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein is provided means pivotally mounting the normally forwardmost end of said screed means on said arm intermediate the ends thereof, and adjustable means coupling the normally rearmost extremity of said screed means to the adjacent end of said arm for varying the angularity of the screed means longitudinally thereof with respect to the longitudinal length of said arm.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,076,370 4/ 1937 Hollingshead 94-44 X 2,204,021 6/ 1940 Leatherman 94-46 2,289,168 7/1942 Barber 94-46 2,413,632 12/1946 Jackson 94-44 2,541,547 2./ 1951 Robinson 94-46 2,623,446 12/1952 Clark 94-46 2,660,937 12/1953 Breeden 94-46 2,707,422 5/ 1955 Canfield 94-46 2,818,790 l/l958 Canfield 94-46 2,890,632 6/1959 Madison 94-46 2,957,397 10/1959 Supject 94-46 3,053,156 9/1962 Jennings 94-46 3,070,822 1/1963 Lipkins 94-44 OTHER REFERENCES Etnyre Bulletin No. C.P.-l05, June V116, 1959.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner'.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Examiner.

N. C. BYERS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR LAYING A CURB COMPRISING: A MOBILE UNDERCARRIAGE; SUPPORT STRUCTURE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE, LOCATED AT ONE SIDE THEREOF, ADAPTED TO BE MOVED ALONG THE LINE ON WHICH THE CURB IS TO BE FORMED AS THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS ADVANCED, SWINGABLE ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS IN GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR RELATIONSHIP TO SAID LINE, AND INCLUDING MEMBERS SPACED APART A DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE TRANSVERSE DIMENSIONS OF THE FINAL CURB; A HOPPER CARRIED BY THE UNDERCARRIAGE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE CURB BUILDING MATERIAL, THE MEMBER IN CLOSEST PROXIMITY TO SAID HOPPER FORMING A PORTION OF ONE SIDE OF THE HOPPER AND HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN INTERCOMMUNICATING THE INTERIOR OF THE HOPPER AND SAID AREA BETWEEN THE MEMBERS; CONVEYOR MEANS IN THE LOWER END OF THE HOPPER AND ALIGNED WITH SAID OPENING FOR DIRECTING MATERIAL FROM THE HOPPER THROUGH SAID OPENING INTO THE AREA BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS AT A PREDETERMINED RATE; MEANS RECIPROCABLE MOUNTED ON THE STRUCTURE FOR TAMPING MATERIAL DEPOSITED WITHIN SAID AREA AND COMPACTING THE SAME SUBSTANTIALLY INTO THE FORM OF SAID CURB AT THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS ADVANCED; AND SCREED MEANS MOUNTED ON THE STRUCTURE AND HAVING A TRANSVERSELY IRREGULARLY CURVED SURFACE CONFORMING TO THE CONFIGURATION OF THE CURB TO BE LAID FOR IRONING THE COMPACTED MATERIAL INTO THE FINAL FORM OF THE CURB DURING ADVANCEMENT OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. 